People are geography challenged
May 15th, 2010 at 10:11:35 AM
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Obviously the people on this board have some high-level geography knowledge from the posted results of quizzes, etc. I have gotten the feeling that this is a very rare exception. Most people's geography knowledge is abysmal.
I mentioned in my trip report that the Wizard asked a cocktail waitress what two states Washington D.C. was located in between. He wanted to bet me that she wouldn't know it. I said, "I don't have enough faith in people's geography knowledge." The cocktail waitress didn't even think about the question for one second; she just laughed and said "no way."
Another example: I went to a semi-prestigious East Coast college and a lot of my friends there had absolutely no clue where anything in the Midwest was located. (That Cleveland was east of Chicago, for instance). These were very smart people who all went on to graduate schools, etc.
I am confident that the person who takes the U.S. Citizenship test knows more about U.S. geography (no to mention politics and government) than a random college grad.
I can understand not knowing where Sri Lanka is but how hard is it to learn the 50 states?
I mentioned in my trip report that the Wizard asked a cocktail waitress what two states Washington D.C. was located in between. He wanted to bet me that she wouldn't know it. I said, "I don't have enough faith in people's geography knowledge." The cocktail waitress didn't even think about the question for one second; she just laughed and said "no way."
Another example: I went to a semi-prestigious East Coast college and a lot of my friends there had absolutely no clue where anything in the Midwest was located. (That Cleveland was east of Chicago, for instance). These were very smart people who all went on to graduate schools, etc.
I am confident that the person who takes the U.S. Citizenship test knows more about U.S. geography (no to mention politics and government) than a random college grad.
I can understand not knowing where Sri Lanka is but how hard is it to learn the 50 states?
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 15th, 2010 at 10:28:14 AM
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I understand they don't teach Geography in grade school now as was done in my day.
I used to know all the state capitals, now I get them confused with other large cities in the state.
I know a younger person who got no basic geography in school, who one day embarrassed himself by asking what states those were at the top of the US map he was looking at. This map did not have the state names but just the outlines. Various pins indicated locations for the company he was working for, and he didnt understand why there were no pins in some of the outlined areas. He was pointing to the great lakes! I'd guess he was somebody who had at least some college.
I used to know all the state capitals, now I get them confused with other large cities in the state.
I know a younger person who got no basic geography in school, who one day embarrassed himself by asking what states those were at the top of the US map he was looking at. This map did not have the state names but just the outlines. Various pins indicated locations for the company he was working for, and he didnt understand why there were no pins in some of the outlined areas. He was pointing to the great lakes! I'd guess he was somebody who had at least some college.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
May 15th, 2010 at 11:41:05 AM
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AT it's peak it was one of the world's greatest cities. A center of culture, tolerance, learning and wealth. What present day country is it in?
May 15th, 2010 at 12:58:45 PM
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My first guess is Baghdad, Iraq, but that seems too obvious.
Second guess: Tripoli, Libya?
Second guess: Tripoli, Libya?
"I believe I've passed the age/of consciousness and righteous rage/I've found that just surviving was a noble fight...
I once believed in causes too/I had my pointless point of view/And life went on no matter who was wrong or right..." --Billy Joel
May 15th, 2010 at 1:07:47 PM
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Yes. Often you will see a quiz about our geography and political system and then only at the end is there a disclosure that the questions are from a test for naturalized citizens.Quote: teddysI am confident that the person who takes the U.S. Citizenship test knows more about U.S. geography (no to mention politics and government) than a random college grad.
The geography keeps changing. Cashcab often asks about Constantinople and Istanbul but some of those Leningrad, Petrograd questions now stump me.
As to US geography... yeah woefully ignorant. I looked at one of those humorous maps often sold in gift shops for a long time before I realized that not every river south of Washington, DC is named the Sewanee River and that west of the Mississippi there is more than just two locations: Las Vegas and California.
I recall a great deal of worry over this Millenium Two thing and I read a Wall Street Journal article on Millenium One which noted the economic effects in Timbuktu, then the largest trading center in the world. Places sometimes change, but names seem to always change.
Even in the USA, most settlers referred to the Shining Mountains or the Great Shining Mountains. Settlers did not use the term Rockies or Rocky Mountains. And much of the country was called The Great American Desert. The Ohio Valley was beyond the Frontier at one time. The words trace, trail and fort had far different meanings than they do today many place names were different too.
May 15th, 2010 at 1:12:06 PM
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I'll go with Baghdad too. Second guess, Damascus.
Ironically that "Desert" now produces the world's largest supply of grain.
Quote: FleaStiffAnd much of the country was called The Great American Desert.
Ironically that "Desert" now produces the world's largest supply of grain.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 15th, 2010 at 2:22:33 PM
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One of my favorites is that Hawaii is located just south of Arizona and New Mexico, right next to Texas.
http://www.50states.com/us.htm
http://www.50states.com/us.htm
May 15th, 2010 at 2:28:48 PM
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Those arches are one of the most famous architectural features in Europe. They are islamic, and some features of the building were copied from a building in Damascus that was finished 70 years before this building was begun.
May 15th, 2010 at 3:03:57 PM
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Cordoba, Spain.
P.S. I cheated. Can you figure out how?
P.S. I cheated. Can you figure out how?
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 15th, 2010 at 3:07:19 PM
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Quote: teddysCordoba, Spain.
P.S. I cheated. Can you figure out how?
The name of the posted image is cordoba.jpg.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:11:45 AM
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I was going to ask you what is the Venice of the North, but I see from Wikipedia that as many as 16 cities in northern Europe have laid claim to that title.
I stayed at an apartment there and was amazed to find that the owner did not own a car, but he had a motorboat tied up outside his home.
I stayed at an apartment there and was amazed to find that the owner did not own a car, but he had a motorboat tied up outside his home.
May 16th, 2010 at 4:03:10 AM
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I'm pretty sure that's Stockholm, or if I'm mistaken it might be Helsinki on the other side of the sea. The detail about the car and the motorboat strongly point to Stockholm though. I recognized Cordoba instantly as well.
Of course, being European myself, I have an edge in this game so far :-)
Of course, being European myself, I have an edge in this game so far :-)
May 16th, 2010 at 6:22:21 AM
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Quote: odiousgambitI understand they don't teach Geography in grade school now as was done in my day.
I know a younger person who got no basic geography in school, who one day embarrassed himself by asking what states those were at the top of the US map he was looking at. This map did not have the state names but just the outlines. Various pins indicated locations for the company he was working for, and he didnt understand why there were no pins in some of the outlined areas. He was pointing to the great lakes! I'd guess he was somebody who had at least some college.
Sounds like the storu (Urbam Legend?) of the kid who landed an interview with IBM and when he got to ask questions he said, "What does I.B.M. stand for?" Not the mission statement, the letters! I heard it back in 1992 or so, when IBM (the company, not the letters) meant something really big. How a business student with grades good enough to get the interview could miss it who knows. It could be an Urban Legend, but I have seen ebough weird nonsense I believe it happened.
All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others
May 16th, 2010 at 7:10:49 AM
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Quote: LapaI'm pretty sure that's Stockholm, or if I'm mistaken it might be Helsinki on the other side of the sea. The detail about the car and the motorboat strongly point to Stockholm though. I recognized Cordoba instantly as well.
Of course, being European myself, I have an edge in this game so far :-)
Well you are correct that it is Stockholm. I was not aware that so many other cities claimed to be like Venice. I understand that the city of Venice wants to start collecting royalties from the casinos (and Venetian looking developments in Japan. They have to figure out how to copyright a look that was developed over centuries.
Being European you might enjoy this episode of Jaywalking shot in front of the Paris Hotel in Las Vegas.
May 16th, 2010 at 7:55:48 AM
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Lapa, where are you from in Europe? I was going to say Talinn, Estonia just to have the unique answer.
We should start a travel forum on here. People post their trips and we can give travel tips.
We should start a travel forum on here. People post their trips and we can give travel tips.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 16th, 2010 at 10:53:25 AM
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Quote: pacomartinI was not aware that so many other cities claimed to be like Venice.
Travelers tip: "Venice of the North" is just shorthand for any city with an historic city center with lot's of water. Preferably, but not necessarily, in canal-like form. Also, must be north of Venice, Italy. The unique Italian atmosphere, gondola's and what have you, do not factor in to this. Not to say that most of these cities are not worthwhile destinations themselves.
Full disclosure: After checking the wiki list Pacomartin refered to, I've been to six Venices of the North, but never in actual Venice.
Quote:Lapa, where are you from in Europe?
I'm from The Netherlands, sporting two Venices of the North.
May 16th, 2010 at 12:44:11 PM
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Lapa
An American novel published in 1865 popularized the stories of ice skating in the Netherlands. Who is the hero of this story?
Within the novel the author retells a story that she didn't make up, about a little boy who puts his finger in the dike. The popularity of the novel also made the story of the boy and the dike popular.
An American novel published in 1865 popularized the stories of ice skating in the Netherlands. Who is the hero of this story?
Within the novel the author retells a story that she didn't make up, about a little boy who puts his finger in the dike. The popularity of the novel also made the story of the boy and the dike popular.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:12:39 PM
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Ooh, I know, I know!
I'll answer if Lapa doesn't know. (I hear the story is not well known if at all in the Netherlands -- either about the boy with the skates or the dike).
I'll answer if Lapa doesn't know. (I hear the story is not well known if at all in the Netherlands -- either about the boy with the skates or the dike).
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 16th, 2010 at 1:29:43 PM
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Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates
Be careful when you follow the masses, the M is sometimes silent.
May 16th, 2010 at 1:49:23 PM
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I would have guessed Hansje Brinker, but only after the clue about the dike. I never knew that came from an ice skating book. The story about the boy with his finger in the dike is known here, but mostly just as that "Dutch legend only known in the States".
If we are playing pop quiz, I have one for you:
How did the Dutch influence in New York (when it was still known as New Amsterdam), lead to the birth of Santa Claus? (note: the notion of Father Christmass has never been part of Dutch tradition)
If we are playing pop quiz, I have one for you:
How did the Dutch influence in New York (when it was still known as New Amsterdam), lead to the birth of Santa Claus? (note: the notion of Father Christmass has never been part of Dutch tradition)
May 16th, 2010 at 2:15:22 PM
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The story about the boy in the dike is of unknown origin, but it was retold in the book, Hans Brinker and the Silver Skates. The story is widely known because of that book.
I would have to google the Santa Clause connection. I think that most Americans don't even know that New York was called New Amsterdam for more than century.
How about what land did the Dutch get in exchange from the British for peacefully leaving New Amsterdam?
There has only been one American President who's native language was not English. He native language was Dutch,and his great-great-great-great-grandfather Cornelis had come to the New World in 1631 from the Netherlands. So coincidentally the first President born in the United States of America and not British North American was born in a town settled by Dutchmen and did not speak English. Who was he?
I would have to google the Santa Clause connection. I think that most Americans don't even know that New York was called New Amsterdam for more than century.
How about what land did the Dutch get in exchange from the British for peacefully leaving New Amsterdam?
There has only been one American President who's native language was not English. He native language was Dutch,and his great-great-great-great-grandfather Cornelis had come to the New World in 1631 from the Netherlands. So coincidentally the first President born in the United States of America and not British North American was born in a town settled by Dutchmen and did not speak English. Who was he?
May 16th, 2010 at 2:27:49 PM
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The Dutch still have St. Nick, right? Isn't he called Sinter Klaas over there? Is he not associated with Christmas at all? I think that's how the American name of "Santa Claus" came into being. In Italian he is called San Nicola, and is not associated with Christmas. The person we think of as Santa Claus is called "Babbo Natale" (Daddy Christmas) over there. I think they got it from the Americans.
For Paco's question, I will guess Martin Van Buren. He was from that area, and has a Dutch last name.
For Paco's question, I will guess Martin Van Buren. He was from that area, and has a Dutch last name.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 16th, 2010 at 2:34:13 PM
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The price for New York was Suriname, although the deal was sealed under threat and we even conquered it back for a short time, I think.
I have no idea about the American President. I do seem to recall there was one called Van Buren, a Dutch name, but I don't even know which century to place him in.
In the Netherlands we do not traditionally celebrate Christmas with gifts. We do celebrate the birth of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. On December 5th he comes through the chimney to bring gifts to children if they have been good. If they have been bad, he and his servants put them in a burlap sack and take them to Spain, which makes no sense because the historic Saint Nicholas lived in Turkey.
Anyway, when the Dutch and English where living together in New Amsterdam, the English children got jealous of the Dutch children getting candy and presents on December 5th. So by the power of nagging, they got their parents to adopt this tradition, only they incorporated it in their Christmas festivities.
Also, in the course of history the tall and lean, stern but gentle Saint Nicholas was transformed into a fat jolly wino.
I have no idea about the American President. I do seem to recall there was one called Van Buren, a Dutch name, but I don't even know which century to place him in.
In the Netherlands we do not traditionally celebrate Christmas with gifts. We do celebrate the birth of Saint Nicholas, the patron saint of children. On December 5th he comes through the chimney to bring gifts to children if they have been good. If they have been bad, he and his servants put them in a burlap sack and take them to Spain, which makes no sense because the historic Saint Nicholas lived in Turkey.
Anyway, when the Dutch and English where living together in New Amsterdam, the English children got jealous of the Dutch children getting candy and presents on December 5th. So by the power of nagging, they got their parents to adopt this tradition, only they incorporated it in their Christmas festivities.
Also, in the course of history the tall and lean, stern but gentle Saint Nicholas was transformed into a fat jolly wino.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:36:54 PM
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Quote: teddysThe Dutch still have St. Nick, right? Isn't he called Sinter Klaas
Our posts crossed, but you are right. He is called Sinterklaas, short(ish) for Sint Nicolaas.
May 16th, 2010 at 2:58:34 PM
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Cool. Also, there is no evidence that St. Nicholas was a fat guy. The fat, bearded guy who wears red suits was actually created by an advertisting artist for the Coca-Cola Company around the turn of the century. That's another interesting story.
"Dice, verily, are armed with goads and driving-hooks, deceiving and tormenting, causing grievous woe." -Rig Veda 10.34.4
May 16th, 2010 at 3:11:47 PM
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Yeah, I heard that story before. The outfit of Sinterklaas is something of a cross between the coca-cola Santa Clause and the pope.
May 16th, 2010 at 3:32:10 PM
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Quote: LapaThe price for New York was Suriname, although the deal was sealed under threat and we even conquered it back for a short time, I think.
I have no idea about the American President. I do seem to recall there was one called Van Buren, a Dutch name, but I don't even know which century to place him in.
Good call on Suriname. I didn't know if that was commonly known in the Netherlands. It is certainly not well known in the USA.
Of course the purchase was sealed under threat. There was no land purchased that wasn't sealed under threat.
Martin Van Buren was born near Albany New York 150 years after his ancestors immigrated from the Netherlands, but he still grew up speaking Dutch. Henry Hudson reached the area near Albany, NY only 2 years after the British had established their first colony at Jamestown. Martin Van Buren was born in Dec 1782 only a year after the British had effectively stopped the war (although they didn't formally sign the treaty until 1783).
